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Cebu’s esteemed designer, Philip Rodriguez, pays homage to imperial attire with this stunning yellow silk brocade qipao. While adhering to the traditional cheongsam silhouette, Rodriguez infuses a touch of sensuality by incorporating see-through silk tulle panels along the waistline. Known for his timeless designs and culturally respectful creations, Rodriguez’s attention to detail is unparalleled. His embellishments are intricate and exquisite, showcasing impeccable taste and luxurious design without veering into ostentation. Take, for instance, his cheongsam for the Year of the Dragon. While it may seem daring compared to traditional sensibilities, Rodriguez maintains elegance by delicately veiling the wearer’s skin with sheer tulle on the cutout side panels. The front slit of the dress is cautiously calculated to strike the perfect balance between modesty and allure “I design for women who possess sophistication beyond their years, “ Philip emphasizes. “My clothes are crafted to evoke a sense of beauty and allure, leaving her feeling exquisite and confident.” As a seasoned designer, Rodriguez consistently achieves harmony in his designs. His qipao for 2024 seamlessly blends elements of royalty and sensuality, luxury and practicality, reflecting his mastery of the craft and his ability to create pieces that are truly elegant and well-balance.
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JC Buendia, celebrated for his ability to tell a million style stories through minimalist details, is a master of clean, chic lines in fashion. Eschewing frivolity and nonsensical embellishments, every element of his designs contributes to their overall elegance.
Inspired by cinematic portrayals of Chinoiserie, Buendia’s first fascination with the Qipao began with Gloria Romero’s iconic portrayal of a Chinese princess disguised as a ‘sampan’ girl in the 1957 film “Hong Kong Holiday.”
“This admiration for orientalalia only deepened as I watched films like “The Last Emperor” and “In The Mood For Love,” JC recalls.
Buendia’s latest creation is a testament to this cinematic influence. His interpretation of the Qipao for the Year of the Wood Dragon features a cropped top crafted from silk Dupioni, embellished with diamond brooches on the reverse closure for a touch of glamour. Paired with a tea-length bouffant skirt made from frothy layers of delicate tulle, the ensemble exudes sophistication and timeless elegance.
With meticulous attention to detail and a keen eye for design, JC Buendia’s Qipao captures the essence of cinematic glamour while offering a contemporary twist on a classic silhouette. It’s a tribute to the enduring allure of Chinoiserie and the timeless beauty of the Cheongsam.
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Protacio Empaces is renowned for his talent in reinventing historical silhouettes into stylish statements perfect for modern women’s lifestyles. His reinterpretations present wearable, contemporary, and highly coveted fashion pieces. The distinct embroidery he incorporates adds an extra touch of charm to his creations. Take, for instance, his cheongsam adorned with delicately hand-embroidered macro daisies and trapunto leaves. “I imagined a vibrant qipao inspired by tropical aesthetics, tailored for chic city living in ASEAN mega-cities. I’m using cotton pique for its structure and infusing it with lively colours to retain a stylish, sensual silhouette,” explains Protacio. His knee-length qipao captures the timeless sophistication seen in Maggie Cheong’s iconic look in the classic film “In the Mood for Love.” Crafted for the Year of the Dragon, this design seamlessly complements the film’s aesthetic, presenting a potential addition to the character’s wardrobe. Seasoned designer Protacio’s creations speak to women aged 30 to 80. His intial Qipao offering for 2024 combines modern elegance with classic charm that resonates with these women’s sophisticated tastes and vibrant lifestyles.
]]>Metal Rat Goes Into the Hole of 2020! Outgoing, cheerful, and sociable – these are some of the facets the Rat characterizes. True to the Chinese zodiac, Rat’s personality can get along well with different people and friends are visible around them. They can also harvest success due to their quick wit and response to outside changes thus, they are alert, adaptable, and observant.
As we bring closer to the Spring Festival in which the Year of the Rat with Metal of the Five Elements, people born in this year are quite positive and active about life and their persistence rarely gets frustrate in circumstances. Moreover, there are places here in Cebu that you will attend as you welcome the beginning of the Chinese Lunar calendar which coincides with the first sign of Chinese zodiac animals.

Usher in welcoming the Year of the Metal Rat as Maayo Hotel and Uma Restaurant prepares a festive buffet as we welcome a brand new year. It is priced at Php 750 net per person during lunch and Php 870 net per person during dinner. Promo runs from January 23-25, 2020.

Crimson Resort and Spa welcomes the first day of the year of the rat with a Wushu performance at the resort’s porte cocher then dot the lion and dragon’s eyes to start the dancing and festivities. Crimson’s culinary team also is laying out an elaborate Chinese, Oriental, and Asian selection at Saffron Café. You may ask the chefs at the live station to make noodles and other dishes the way you like them. Attract more good luck with tikoy and rice pudding with Mandarin sauce.

Elevate your dining culture into incorporating technological innovations in this iconic restaurant! Not only, Ding How Dimsum House offers palatable Chinese food for Cebuanos to enjoy but it introduces the new digital ordering system. Individual screens allow one to view the Ding How menu, place an order, and engage in trivia, history, and multimedia visuals. With this, it upgrades customer convenience when ordering by allowing the diner to order at their own pace. It also informs the diners of the waiting time before food is served.

Join Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa as they welcome the Year of the Metal Rat in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Ceremonies will commence at 9:45 in the morning on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at the Main Wing Lobby.

Feast yourself with Prosperity and Fortune in a dinner buffet at one of Cebu’s best, Cebu Parklane International Hotel’s Manuel’s Restaurant for only Php 1,050.00 net on January 24 and 25. Beandate also offers Merienda Chino – a variety of merienda treats and Chinese snacks Cebuanos love for only Php350.00 net on January 25th only.
Prizes from the Tree of Fortune awaits to those diners who purchased a minimum of Php 3,000.00 net. The Tree of Fortune offers:
For inquiries and reservations, call 234-7000 local 7249 or visit www.

Pig out at Cebu Parklane International Hotel for the Year of the Pig with with some Chinese New Year Offerings. They’ll be serving Chinese cuisine through a lunch or dinner buffet and For a single receipt at a minimum spend of Php 3,000.00, you’ll get a chance to win a mystery prize from the Tree of Fortune at Manuel’s Restaurant!

You can also indulge in a festive culinary adventure at Seda Hotel’s Misto. Traditional red lanterns will be put around the restaurant and will offer an exquisite feast of several well-known Chinese delicacies and recipes including a dim sum spread, sweet and sour dishes as well as a noodle station. Also, a traditional and colorful Lion Dance will take place at the lobby.
Greetings like Gong Xi Fa Cai will be all over the Hotel as you enter into the Year of the Earth Pig at Marco Polo Plaza! There will be a giant Yee Sang bowl at the lobby where special guests will be tossing the salad with Marco Polo’s signature giant chopsticks. Also a eye-dotting ceremony followed by the auspicious drum beats of the traditional lion and dragon dance will keep the celebration going. To complement the celebration, there will be Chinese Cuisine at Café Marco with Culinary Impressions of China. If you dine during lunch or dinner on these dates, you can get a chance to win one roundtrip ticket to Macau care of Philippine Airlines.

Still at Marco Polo, Hai Shin Lou will be celebrating their first Chinese New Year in the Queen City of the South. As tradition dictates that one should eat tikoy (or nian gao) during Chinese New Year to ensure sweetness in the coming year. It is also said that eating it will bring in money, prosperity and continuous loving relationships. So now you can bring this glutinous rice cake home or give them out as gifts to family, friends or colleagues. If you book your tables early they will also be serving carefully curated Cantonese dishes and a Dim Sum menu!

You can bring in good fortune this February 5 as you celebrate the festive Year of the Pig at Harolds. There will be a delicious Chinese buffet spread. You guys can also try your luck and get a chance to win amazing prizes from the magnificent Prosperity Tree when you dine in groups of three.

There is a good reason why you should celebrate Chinese new year at the resort because festive drums and music, longevity noodles and an auspicious feast will all be there to serve you and your family. It wards off the negativity and also attracts good energy with the sounds of the fire crackers as we light them up at the resort’s porte cocher. They will also serve elaborate Chinese and Oriental fare that’s worthy for the celebration such us Sichuan chicken, a variety of freshly made dimsum, kung pao chicken, sweet and sour snapper, and also for attracting good charm and luck, you’ll definitely need to have some sticky and sweet desserts too.

Be entertained by the mesmerizing traditional lion dance performance from the Cebu Centennial Lions Club on February 5, Chinese New Year just right at their Hotel Lobby. And indulged in the Year of the Earth Pig with prosperity and happiness through a festive themed buffet at Uma Restaurant. Gather your loved ones and eat through a sumptuous spread of your favorite Chinese dishes.

If your thinking of spending your Chinese New Year near the center of the city, then you can witness a spectacular Lion Dance Ceremony at the lobby of Quest Hotel. Accompanying with a bountiful feast of sumptuous Chinese cuisine including roasted Peking Duck. There will also be a prosperity toss that symbolize an element of fortune for the family.

You can also indulge in masterful culinary delights especially created by Chef Boon Boon Hoe, and a revelry of vibrant tradition, as you welcome the Year of the Earth Pig. There will be 3 exclusive set of menus at Shangri-La’s Tea of Spring, which is Blissful Celebration Set Menu, Grand Fortune Celebration Menu and Abundant Blessing Celebration Set Menu. A Chinese New Year Buffet at Tides will be over flowing with savory time-honored Chinese favorites!
Here, she shares some tips to help you do the same:

“The rule was to not leave countertops or tables bare—it represents a lack of blessings. You want abundance in your home, so fill up the tables with plants and round fruits. There should be a celebration of color.”
Cute daughter Alessia in a cheongsam doesn’t hurt either.

“Plants and items of colorful nature was also to play a role in the mood for the upcoming new year.”

“The Feng Shui master asked not to have sharp edges, and to soften the ends with pots and vases. Also, he recommended that we add plants for height and to create a flow of beauty.”

“The year of the rooster brings a lot of emotions out, and you want to create a rhythm of consistency, not upward or downward cycles. Counter this by creating curves in the home.”
Fortunately, the house’s spiral staircase helps.
Through all of this, though, Kate understands that there will always be skeptics, but she figures it couldn’t hurt to try. “Whether this creates harmony or balance in our lives for 2017, it doesn’t hurt to try it out,” she shrugs. “In fact, it allowed me to rethink my home from a different perspective, to consider the flow of energy when doing an upgrade. Suddenly, I saw our home like a new Asiatica, something that’s ready to set sail. After all, change is always good in the new year.”
Do you agree with Kate’s Feng Shui tips? Share your own design tips with us by tagging Zee Lifestyle or using #ZeeLifestyle in your social media posts.
photography Nath Ybanez
]]>Besides all the traditions we know and love (Fireworks! Prosperity toss!), one thing we always tend to do around this time is to check on your forecasts for the year ahead. Find your animal sign in the list below, and see how 2017 will be for you in terms of career, health, finances, and romance.
RAT1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Carpe diem! Resourcefulness will give way to opportunities such as a promotion, although take caution: A hectic schedule will burn Rats out. Rats are also discouraged from taking out loans or gambling, but having a 2017 wedding will be good for them.
OX1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
2017 would be a good time to pursue a relationship or even get married, but be wary about dwelling on emotional weaknesses. Starting a business would also be good this year, as it’s the year you’ll bounce back to good finances.
TIGER1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
There’ll be hardships this year, but overall 2017 seems promising. Chances in romance are strong, but now is not the time to take financial risks and buy things impulsively to avoid serious financial losses.
RABBIT1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
All the single rabbits, 2017 is your year to find the right one. When it comes to people though, not everything is smooth sailing. Exercise caution when dealing with people about finances, as relatives or friends borrowing money this year will not repay the debt.
DRAGON1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
Career will soar for Dragons this year. Your superiors will take notice of your abilities which will pay off, but it’s starting your own business that will bring the most luck to your wealth. Watch out, though: Health could pose a problem.
MARCO POLO HOTELS
With properties in the cities of Cebu, Davao, Manila, Beijing, Changzhou, Chengdu, Foshan, Jinjiang, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Wuhan and Hong Kong, it’s only fitting for Niccolo and Marco Polo Hotels to have unbelievable offers in time for Chinese New Year.
From now until February 12, guests will enjoy extra benefits including breakfast for two and guaranteed early check-in and late check-out, as well as a 50% discount on a second room booking during the same booking period. Those staying more than three consecutive nights will also be automatically upgraded to the next room category. Click this link to avail of this promo.
MARCO POLO PLAZA CEBU
Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills
6332. 253 1111 | Facebook
SNAKE1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Snakes will be extremely lucky in the romance department, however they are encouraged to take things slow. Conversely, it’s an unlucky year for Snakes wealth-wise, especially if you tend to spend beyond your means.
HORSE1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
2017 will be quite challenging for Horses. Conflicts are on the horizon when it comes to romance, finances will suffer and health issues will arise, while bad luck with career can be avoided by staying in the same job.
SHEEP1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
There will be an abundance of opportunities in careers and relationships. There’s a possible financial crisis on the rise, but keeping a tight budget will allow Sheeps to survive. Take it easy, though: Being stressed at work will affect your health.
MONKEY1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Starting a family would be a great move for Monkeys in 2017, as personal relationships will have harmony, and income and work will be stable. This will be quite the busy year, so expect some minor health issues, but nothing that relaxing won’t help.
RADISSON BLU CEBU
Just in time for Chinese New Year, Radisson Blu Cebu recently introduced its new Chinese chef Steve Ang who will be preparing his signature dishes for Feria’s lunch and dinner buffets on January 28.
Indulge in the extensive Chinese station featuring the traditional prosperity salmon salad Yee Sang, as well as specialties like the beef cube tenderloin in pepper sauce with garlic flakes and braised mushroom in crispy pork knuckle. These will be served alongside regular favorites such as dim sum and assorted seafood.
Feria’s buffet on January 28 will be at PHP 980 net per person.
RADISSON BLU CEBU
S. Osmena Blvd. cor. Juan Luna Ave, North Reclamation
6332. 402 9900 | Facebook
ROOSTER1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Roosters are going to be extremely moody this year, with an emotional crisis looming. It’s best to put off weddings until the next year. Also, plan out expenses carefully to avoid bad luck, and be careful to avoid accidents from motor vehicles and extreme sports.
DOG1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Dogs are in for a great financial breakthrough in 2017. They’ll also be lucky in relationships, but anxiety and depression might affect this significantly. Career-oriented dogs will see an increase in work responsibilities, but will also have significant work developments.
BOAR1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Romance is set to be challenging for boars, as is career – growth opportunities in the work place will be hard to come by. Boars will also be prone to physical weakness, and are advised to be extra-careful in making major financial decisions.
illustrations Jean Lim
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